Emergency Medicine Residency Alumni
Listing of alumni for the Emergency Medicine Residency program at the FAU Schmidt College of Medicine.
Class of 2023
Tony Bruno, D.O.
Post-Residency: Community Practice in Jupiter, FL
Medical School: Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine Nova Southeastern University
Undergraduate: BS in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Central Florida
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Hobbies: Ice hockey, golf, horseback riding
Why FAU: The attendings and the residents that I worked with as a medical student.
Something about me: I have an English black lab named Shae.
Timothy Buckley, M.D., M.P.H.
Post-Residency:Fellowship in Ultrasound at University of Arizona- Tucson, Tucson, AZ
Medical School: University of Texas Health San Antonio
Undergraduate: BS in Psychology, University of Arizona
Graduate: MPH, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Hobbies: Watching, playing, and talking basketball. I also enjoy playing video games.
Why FAU: I rotated here and loved it. Great people, great program, great location.
Something about me: My favorite animals are bears. I own a dog though, close second and easier to live with.
Collin Hickey, D.O.
Post-Residency: Community Practice in Baldwin Park, CA
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Undergraduate: Indiana University
Hometown: Frankfort, IL
Field of Interest: EMS
Hobbies: Music, Sports and The Beach
Why FAU: Beautiful Weather, Friendly Community, Family
Something about me: My favorite sports team is the Chicago Blackhawks.
Daniella Lamour, D.O.
Post-Residency: Fellowship in Ultrasound at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas
Undergraduate: Florida International University Honors College
Hometown: Miami, FL
Hobbies: Listening to music, hanging out with my family and friends, watching movies, playing basketball, going for a ride on our boat
Why FAU: I love FAU’s balance of autonomy and support, its value and execution of the best wellness curriculum, the longitudinal ultrasound and pediatrics curriculum, and not to mention the familial environment amid the residents and faculty.
Something about me: I love giving back to my community, teaching, and helping others navigate the medical field. I am very excited to begin my purpose and career with FAU Emergency Medicine!
Mihael Plantak, M.D.
Post-Residency: Community Practice in Los Angeles, CA
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: BS in Biology, Andrew’s University
Hometown: Berrien Springs, MI
Hobbies: Traveling and exploring new countries, listening to music, movies, cars/driving, watching basketball.
Why FAU: Wonderful and caring faculty, great training, family feel, and right next to beach!
Something about me: Laid back and love to relax outside of work. I'm all about the good vibes :)
Christopher Williams, M.D.
Post-Residency: Community Practice in Tallahassee, FL
Medical School: Florida State University
Undergraduate: BA Business Administration, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hometown: Lakeland, FL
Hobbies: Surfing, Scuba Diving, Sailing, Spearfishing…pretty much anything in the ocean.
Why FAU: I was drawn to FAU because of the diversity of training locations, longitudinal curriculum and welcoming environment.
Something about me: After college I worked as a yacht captain and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean twice. During this time, I developed an interest in medical care at sea which lead me to my current career path.
Class of 2022
Elizabeth Calhoun, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in Palm Coast, FL
Medical School: Florida State University
Undergraduate: Florida State University
Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Hobbies: Family, Beaching, Gardening
Why FAU: Best of all worlds!
Spencer Greaves, M.D., M.P.H.
Post-residency: Community practice in Eau Claire, WI
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin (MD)
Undergraduate: Marquette University (BS Engineering)
Graduate: Dartmouth College (MPH)
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Hobbies: Amateur Rocketry, Working out, video games, travel
Why FAU: I love the beach and the ocean and the weather! Great faculty, simulation lab, and residents!
Something about me: Independence Day is my favorite holiday!
Rebecca Mendelsohn, M.D.
Post-residency: Fellowship in Aerospace Medicine at NASA/University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Medical School: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Undergraduate: Brown University
Hometown: Hollywood, FL
Hobbies: Scuba diving, unofficial theme park tour guide, Marvel movie aficionado
Why FAU: The people. When I rotated here, the attendings and residents were insanely welcoming and friendly, and went out of their way to ensure I had a good experience. When I became a resident, that ethos became even more apparent and amazing. Attendings and fellow residents have gone well out of their way to help me become the best physician I can be. Every program says it, but here, it's true: the people in this program are like family.
Something about me: I'm a dog person, but I have an awesome cat named Scooby.
Thomas Peterson, D.O.
Post-residency: Community practice in West Palm Beach, FL
Medical School: VCOM at Auburn University in Auburn, AL
Undergraduate: Spanish w/ minor in Chemistry at Brigham Young University
Hometown: South Jordan, UT
Hobbies: Lifting weights, water sports, reading, hiking
Why FAU: Because of the culture, patient population, location, longitudinal set up of the EM program
Something about me: I have a Miniature Schnauzer.
Ali Syed, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in McAllen, TX
Medical School: State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine
Undergraduate: BS Biology with Concentration in Neuroscience; State University of New York at Stony Brook
Hometown: Patchogue, NY
Hobbies: Swimming, basketball, fantasy sports, comedy, bollywood, NBA
Why FAU: Having spent my entire life in New York, I wanted to move away from the cold. I was always interested in Florida due to the warm weather, no state income tax, and proximity to the beaches. I did an away rotation here during my senior year of medical school, and I knew by the end of my first week that I wanted to be here. The core faculty members were approachable and the residents were extremely happy and had a good work/life balance. Out of all my away rotations and interviews, the residents at FAU showed the highest amount of satisfaction: no program came close. Residency is supposed to be challenging, but I would rather be somewhere where I know I have a good support system. I knew without a doubt, that I wanted to spend my three years here.
Something about me: I would like to be a multibillionaire one day. Plan is to finish residency and then pursue a career in real estate and screenwriting on the side. Ideally would want to practice in Florida or Texas due to the warm weather and lack of state income tax.
Michael Turchiaro, D.O., M.P.H.
Post-residency: Community practice in Fort Worth, TX
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University
Undergraduate: South University
Hometown: Parkland, FL
Hobbies: Basketball, weight lifting, video games, music
Why FAU: I chose FAU because of the people and how amazing our staff is.
Something about me: I am a new Dad of a now one-year old daughter
Class of 2021
Alexander Busko, M.D., M.P.H.
Post-residency: Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine at University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL
Medical School: University of Miami
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Graduate: University of Miami, M.P.H.
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Hobbies: Fishing, exercising, reading, D.O.gs
Why FAU: I moved to south Florida after college and fell in love with the weather and living on the beach. Was super impressed with how friendly and easy going the faculty were on interview day and liked the idea of a residency where you’re on a first name basis with your attendings.
Something about me: Math and science were my least favorite subjects in high school. I went to college to be a writer, but switched my major from journalism to cellular biology and never looked back.
Zachariah Hatoum, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in Naples, FL
Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Maryland, B.S. Finance
Hometown: Washington, DC
Hobbies: Traveling, soccer
Why FAU: Amazing faculty, great clinical exposure, opportunity to shape the program
Mohsin Khan, D.O.
Post-residency: Community practice in Naples, FL
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Florida International University
Hometown: Miami, FL
Hobbies: Traveling, playing basketball/football, watching movies, playing video games
Why FAU: FAU allows me to work and learn at an institution that is new and growing with academic faculty and staff that are very invested in our education. The area has plenty to offer including multiple hospital sites which have their own unique characteristics and pathology. The ability of being close to the beaches and enjoying warm weather year-round is a plus as well. Also, I completed internal medicine residency at FAU before I started emergency medicine residency.
Danielle Klein, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in Pensacola, FL
Medical School: FAU Schmidt College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Florida
Hometown: Gainesville, FL
Hobbies: OrangeTheory, eating, being a wife and mom
Why FAU: Loved my medical school experience and wanted to stay in South Florida
Something about me: I'm an avid runner, I have completed multiple half marathons and 5Ks.
Zuheir Mirza, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in Fort Myers, FL
Medical School: University of South Florida
Undergraduate: University of South Florida
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Hobbies: Reading, eating, general loafing about
Why FAU: EM faculty seemed genuinely involved with residents
Something about me: I'm proficient at winking with both eyes
Anabelle Taveras, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in Boynton Beach, FL
Medical School: University of Illinois
Undergraduate: University of South Florida BS Finance
Hometown: Miami, FL
Hobbies: Spending time with family, fishing, food
Why FAU: Rotated here as a student, loved the small class and the family feel
Something about me: Medicine is my second career
Class of 2020
Sean Argo, M.D., M.S.
Post-residency: Community practice in Port Richey, FL
Medical School: USF Morsani College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of South Florida
Hometown: Rockledge, FL
Hobbies: Reading, gaming, spending time with friends and family
Why FAU: The faculty and leaving my footprint on a new program
Something about me: I grew up watching shuttle launches and want to go into space someday
Damien Carracedo, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in Port Richey, FL
Medical School: FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Undergraduate: Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida
Hometown: Miami, FL
Hobbies: Beer brewing
Why FAU: Interested in new emergency medicine programs
Something about me: Boarded in Internal Medicine
Jeffrey Klein, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in Pensacola, FL
Medical School: FAU College of Medicine
Undergraduate: BS in Nutrition from the University of Florida
Hometown: Gainesville, FL
Hobbies: Fitness
Why FAU: Excellent Attending to Resident Ratio
Benjamin Mazer, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in Atlanta, GA
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Undergraduate: Pomona College
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Hobbies: Cooking, painting, exercising, photography
Why FAU: I wanted to be part of a new program so that I could help mold the program in the best interest of future residents
Something about me: Fun fact? I was nearly killed as a baby during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco. Random detail? I have three miniature dachshunds.
Daniel Parks, D.O., PA-C
Post-residency: Community practice in Fort Myers, FL
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Pennsylvania College of Technology - Physician Assistant
Hometown: Williamsport, PA
Hobbies: Basketball, snowboarding, playing the drums, exercise/weight lifting
Why FAU: I found the core faculty to be motivated and inspiring. They have a vision and hold ideals that are similar to my own. I also love that it’s located in South Florida on the beach. I wanted to train in a community hospital type setting. FAU gives you the opportunity to work in a community hospital meanwhile giving ample exposure to a level 1 trauma center, comprehensive stroke center, STEMI centers, pediatric hospital, OB hospital and more.
Something about me: I have been working in the ED in some capacity (ED PA, resident, and now almost attending) since 2010. I truly enjoy emergency medicine. I'm happily married with two wonderful sons! I love to spend time with friends and family.
Matthew Wallace, M.D.
Post-residency: Community practice in Delray Beach, FL
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: Florida State University
Hometown: Davie, FL
Hobbies: Golf, Classic Cars, Homebrew Beer, Sports
Why FAU: FAU is very near my hometown which sparked my interest, however I was really drawn to the burgeoning program with a family like atmosphere.
Something about me: I have a wonderful wife and two beautiful kids who keep me busy outside of the hospital. Prior to Emergency Medicine, I completed an Internship in General Surgery, as well as an Internal Medicine Residency at FAU, with the goal of becoming dual boarded.